HISTORICAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG AUCKLAND LITERATI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 206, 16 March 1877, Page 13

HISTORICAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG AUCKLAND LITERATI.

I noticed in the 'New Zealand Herald' a little while ago, that some of the numerous literary associations now at work in Auckland, discussed the question whether the execution of Mary Stuart, by order of her loving kinswoman, the "good" Queen Elizabeth, were justifiable or not. Yes it was, the majority decided, if I recollect aright. I wonder if any of those who voted for the execution ever adverted to the opinion or feeling of the maiden queen herself on that point. What did she think of the bloody deed after it was done ? To me it seems that she would have given almost anything if she could have had it undone, both for the sake of her reputation and her peace of mind. She was anxious, most unjustly, to cast tae odium of the deed upon others, and it is too plain that she n?ver afterwards enjoyed one moment's peace of mind, but sullenly ■uuk into the grave at last, a prey to the deepest melancholy and remorse. As the hour of her death drew near, and she felt that she was about to appear before that awful tribunal where justice will be impartially done to all, can we be surprised if her mind was troubled, and she were ready to give way to despair, as she thought on the many unjust and cruel deeds which she had authorised to be done in the sacred name of religion, and, most of all, when she called to mind what she had done for the long period of nineteen years to embitter the existence and blast the reputation of her unfortunate cousin, Mary of Scotland. What after all was Mary's chief and most unpardonable fault in Elizabeth's eyes ? It was her devotfed attachment to that religion which, in her heart, she believed to be true. Had she but renounced that all would have gone well with poor Mary Stuart, so far as regards this world. But she preferred her duty to her interest, and like many before her, and after her too, paid the penalty of her life at last for her constancy. Let any one who is unbiased by sectarian prejudice look at the demeanor of both these queens when the prospect of death was immediately before them, and then say which of the two they think was the better Christian. Mary, in presence of the terrible headsman and the block, shows the fervent yet unaffected piety, the calm and dignified resignation of a Christian martyr; while Elizabeth, dying in her bed within her own palace, and surrounded by obsequious courtiers, exhibits the moping melancholy of " a mind diseased." Her bosom seemed foul with some "pestilent stuff, which weighed upon her heart." She passed away, and, if my memory serve me right, gave no sign, or but very faint signs, of cither Christianity, faith, hope, or charity. I am not going into any vindication of Queen Mary's conduct generally. That she was always a prudent woman Ido not think, j acd probably she did not think so herself. But Ido not believe that she ever conspired against Elizabeth's life or throne, or was guilty of the dreadful crime which her Scotch enemies and rebel subjects laid to her charge. She had not a fair trial. A mystery Ce v^ a £ n l y even yet han S s over man 7 of tu <>se transactions with which her name has been associated ; a mystery which probably never will be fully cleared up till the great day of final reckoning comes, when she will be confronted by her accusers before an omniscient Judge, who will not be influenced by passion, prejudice, or self-interest. Then it will clearly appear to all men whether her execution, and what was even more cruel, her 19 years imprisonment, were justifiable or not. I find it difficult to believe that any one with the cruilt of treason and murder on their soul, could meet death as Mary did. it must have been something different from pride and physicai courage which could so sustain her spirit in the trying hour of her execution. Consciousness of her innocence of the crimes charo-ed against her, and the well-grounded hope of the favor of God, could alone, one would suppose, have enabled her to conduct herself with so much tranquility, and in so dignified a manner at the fatal block. It was not for the interest of her enemies that the suspicious circumstances connected with her life should be f ully cleared up Vvxag her life-time she was in their power and at their mercy.'

Her' reputation was no less at their mercy after the grave had closed over her. They have made the most of their advantages. It is a good sign of our times when our ingenuous youth have begun to • study history for themselves in a critical and judicial spirit, and are no longer satisfied to pin their faith to their historical school books, often so meagre and misleading. Future times may, I will go so far as to say, will reverse the judgment which most Englishmen have hitherto formed of the character and principles of Queen Elizabeth, They will wonder why this able woman should ever have been called " good," and regarded with so much extravagant admiration by the professed friends of civil and religious liberty, when they consider the cruelty and tyranny of her public acts and the very suspicious nature of her private character. She has stamped on the religion, the Government, and people of England, a character in which they glory at this day. The epitaph which Elizabeth wished inscribed on her tomb is highly characteristic of the woman: "Here lies Elizabeth, who lived and died a maiden queen." Pride and vanity appear in this, and possibly something worse. It is doubtful if it be true. Hume, who was in no way prejudiced against her, says, " Her chastity was suspicious." At all events, if she had wished posterity to believe in her chastity, she ought to have acted with more maidenly modesty, delicacy, and reserve towards some of her male friends and admirers. Yes, this is the woman whom the bulk of Englishmen, especially clerical Englishmen, regard as the pride and ornament of England ; a queen, whose memory ought to bo embalmed in evexy thoroughbred Englishman's heart, so completely are men's judgments warped, and their moral feelings perverted by long established political and religious prejudices, and by self-interest. When the truth of history is concealed or perverted, a great public wrong is done, no matter who does it or how it comes to be done, whether through ignorance or design. If sovereigns cannot advance the glory, honor, and wealth of the country they rule, except by the sacrifice of justice, humanity, truth, and morality, better far that their country should remain weak, obscure, and poor. The real grandeur and power of any country lie in the virtue of its rulers and people; a truism which our modern politicians often seem disposed to forgot, notwithstanding the admonitions of the pulpit and press. Auckland. Laic.